Thermal regulation and stabilization vessel

ABSTRACT

A thermal stabilization vessel may include a double walled tube. The tube may have an outer wall, an inner wall, and a sealed off volume located between the inner and outer walls. A removable base may close off a bottom opening of the tube and conduct heat to or from a container placed within the vessel. A top may partially close off a top opening of the tube. The top may include an annulus of elastomeric material. The annulus may have a plurality of resilient tabs extending radially inward toward a central axis of the tube. When a container such as a bottle of wine is placed within a vessel, the tabs of the annulus may resiliently deflect as needed to accommodate the container and then restrict air exchange between an ambient environment and a space located interior to the inner wall of the tube and exterior to the container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/150,056 filed Oct. 2, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,122,923), whichclaims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/566,905 filed Oct. 2, 2017 and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/643,508 filed Mar. 15, 2018. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/150,056, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/566,905, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/643,508 are each hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to temperature regulation and, more particularly,to novel systems and methods for consistently serving beverages at ornear their optimal serving temperatures.

The Background Art

Beverages are often stored at temperatures that are different from theiroptimal serving temperatures. Additionally, beverages served at theiroptimal serving temperatures do not tend to stay there. Accordingly,what is needed are systems and methods that enable beverages to beconsistently served at or near their optimal serving temperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating multiple temperature-versus-time curvesthat illustrate what may be accomplished within a drift-reduction modein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating multiple temperature-versus-time curvesthat illustrate what may be accomplished within heat-exchange anddrift-reduction modes in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiments of a vessel inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 4 with a beveragecontainer that is not shown in cross-section contained therewithin;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a topof a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of atop of a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of atop of a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention with a beveragecontainer that is not shown in cross-section contained therewithin;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a beverage container with a seal appliedthereto in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention with a beveragecontainer that is not shown in cross-section contained therewithin;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention with a beveragecontainer that is not shown in cross-section contained therewithin;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a baseof a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of abase of a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of abase of a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of abase of a vessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention with a beveragecontainer that is not shown in cross-section contained therewithin;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vesselin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 20 with the topremoved;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 20 with the baseremoved;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a top view of a seal of the vessel of FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a lower portion of an inner wall of thevessel of FIG. 20;

FIG. 27 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 20 withthe top removed;

FIG. 28 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 20 withthe bottom removed;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention wherein the inner andouter walls of the body are both formed of the same material;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of avessel in accordance with the present invention wherein the inner wallof the body is configured to conduct heat to the base;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of amethod in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an on-board,electrically power, heating/cooling system that may form part of avessel in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of variousembodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of theinvention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, whereinlike parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, certain beverages are assigned or generallybelieved to have optimal serving temperatures. For example, it is saidthat milk is most safe and tastes best when served at a temperature inthe range of 35 to 40° F. Conversely, hot chocolate is frequently servedat a temperature in the range of 160 to 185° F. Reds wines are said tohave an optimal serving temperature of about 62 to about 68° F. However,white wines are said to have an optimal serving temperature of about 49to about 55° F. Thus, different beverages have different optimal servingtemperatures. Moreover, more often than not, the optimal servingtemperature of a beverage will not be room temperature (e.g., about 73°F.).

In certain situations, there may be a significant period of time betweenwhen a beverage is served and when it is consumed. For example, a bottleof wine may not be consumed or fully consumed until more than an hour ortwo after it was served (e.g., placed on a restaurant table). Over time,the temperature of a beverage that has been served, but not yetconsumed, may drift toward room temperature. For example, within a roomtemperature environment, a glass of milk served at 35° F. may over timewarm significantly as heat transfers from the surrounding air,supporting table, or the like to the milk. Similarly, a bottle of winedelivered to a table at an optimal serving temperature may have departedsignificantly from that optimal temperature by the time it is consumed.

A system 10 in accordance with the present invention may include avessel 12 and a beverage container 14. A vessel 12 may be configured toreceive a beverage container 14 therewithin. When a beverage container14 is placed within a vessel 12, the vessel 12 may combat temperaturedrift of a beverage within the beverage container 14.

In the figures accompanying the present disclosure, the beveragecontainer 14 is a wine bottle. However, vessels 12 in accordance withthe present invention may be sized and shaped to receive other kinds ofbeverage containers 14 (e.g., beverage containers 14 containing a softdrink, milk, juice, an alcoholic beverage, tea, hot chocolate, coffee,water, or the like). Thus, in the present disclosure, wine bottles andwine are used by way of example and not by way of limitation.

FIG. 2, in selected embodiments, a vessel 12 in accordance with thepresent invention may operate in drift-reduction mode. Indrift-reduction mode, a vessel 12 may simply reduce the flow of heatinto or out of the corresponding beverage container 14. Accordingly, indrift-reduction mode, the goal of a vessel 12 may be to maintain thetemperature of a beverage at the same temperature it had at the time thecorresponding beverage container 14 was placed within the vessel 12.Thus, the performance of a vessel 12 may be characterized by a change intemperature 16 over a particular period of time 18. The smaller thechange in temperature 16, the better the performance of the vessel 12.

For example, in the illustrated graph, a first curve 20 a may representthe temperature with respect to time of a beverage when thecorresponding beverage container 14 is simply removed from a relativelycool space (e.g., a refrigerator) and placed in an environment at roomtemperature. A second curve 20 b may represent the temperature withrespect to time of a beverage when the corresponding beverage container14 is removed from the same relatively cool space and placed within avessel 12. As can be seen, the change in temperature 16 b of the secondcurve 20 b may be much less than the change in temperature 16 a of thefirst curve 20 a. Thus, a vessel 12 in drift-reduction mode may reducethe flow of heat between a surrounding environment and a beveragecontainer 14.

FIG. 3, in selected embodiments, a vessel 12 in accordance with thepresent invention may, for a particular period of time 22, operate in aheat-exchange mode. In a heat-exchange mode, a vessel 12 may enable twoor more thermal masses to exchange heat until they reach an equilibriumtemperature. This may happen in a controlled environment that is largelythermally isolated from a surrounding environment. In selectedembodiments, a beverage container 14 and the beverage therewithin may betwo of the thermal masses participating in the exchange of heat.Accordingly, in heat-exchange mode, the goal of a vessel 12 may be totransition a beverage container 14 and the beverage therewithin to a newtemperature.

In certain embodiments, the relative starting temperatures, relativesizes, types of materials, etc. of the two or more thermal masses may beselected or tuned to control or set an equilibrium temperature. Forexample, the relative starting temperatures, relative sizes, types ofmaterials, etc. of the two or more thermal masses, which masses includea beverage within the beverage container 14, may be mathematically orempirically selected or tuned in order to control or set the equilibriumtemperature to an optimal serving temperature of the beverage. Thus, ina heat-exchange mode, a system 10 may transition a beverage within abeverage container 14 from some first temperature (e.g., a storagetemperature) to an optimal serving temperature corresponding to thatbeverage. As a heat-exchange mode ends (i.e., as an equilibriumtemperature is reached by two or more thermal masses), a vessel 12 maytransition to a drift-reduction mode.

For example, for some period of time 24, a beverage container 14 and thebeverage therewithin may be held at a particular temperature (e.g., astorage temperature) at a location outside of a vessel 12. When the timeto serve the beverage arrives, the corresponding beverage container 14may be placed within a vessel 12. This placement may initiate aheat-exchange mode, which may last for a second period of time 22. Oncean equilibrium temperature is reached, a vessel 12 may reduce the flowof heat into or out of the corresponding beverage container 14.Accordingly, in drift-reduction mode, the vessel 12 may maintain thetemperature of a beverage at or near the equilibrium temperature.

In the illustrated graph, a third curve 20 c may represent thetemperature with respect to time of a beverage (e.g., red wine) that isstored at a first temperature (e.g., 73° F.) and has an optimal servingtemperature that is below the first temperature (e.g., in the range fromabout 62 to about 68° F.). A fourth curve 20 d may represent thetemperature with respect to time of a beverage (e.g., white wine) thatis stored at a second temperature (e.g., 35° F.) and has an optimalserving temperature that is above the second temperature (e.g., in therange from about 49 to about 55° F.).

As can be seen, during a first period of time 24, the respectivebeverages are being held at respective storage temperatures. When thebeverage containers 14 are removed from storage and placed within arespective vessel 12, the first period of time 24 ends and therespective systems 10 enter heat-exchange mode.

For the third curve, a relatively cold thermal mass within or formingpart of a vessel 12 is combined with a relatively warm beverage.Accordingly, the equilibrium temperature may be below the storagetemperature. If the beverage were red wine stored at room temperature,the material, starting temperature, and size of the relatively coldthermal mass may be selected so that the equilibrium temperature wouldfall in the range of about 62 to about 68° F.

For the forth curve, a relatively warm thermal mass within or formingpart of a vessel 12 is combined with a relatively cold beverage.Accordingly, the equilibrium temperature may be above the storagetemperature. If the beverage were white wine stored at refrigeratortemperature, the material, starting temperature, and size of therelatively warm thermal mass may be selected so that the equilibriumtemperature would fall in the range of about 49 to about 55° F.

After a second period of time 22, the various thermal masses within therespective systems 10 may reach an equilibrium temperature. This maybring a close to the heat-exchange mode and bring in a drift-reductionmode for the respective systems 10. Thus, for a third period of time 26,the beverages within the respective vessels 12 may be held as close aspossible to the equilibrium temperature. In selected embodiments, thismay provide an extended period of time 26 within which one or morebeverages may be served at or very near the equilibrium temperature.Since the equilibrium temperature may be tuned to be an optimal servingtemperature, a vessel 12 operating in drift-reduction mode may providean extended period of time 26 within which one or more beverages may beserved at or very near an optimal serving temperature.

In selected embodiments, a vessel 12 in accordance with the presentinvention may operate in heat-exchange mode over an extended period time(e.g., for multiple shorter periods of time 22 that collectively add upto an extended period of time). In such embodiments, the rate of heattransfer between a beverage container 14 and a corresponding thermalmass (e.g., a cooler thermal mass) of a vessel 12 may be relatively low.Accordingly, the resulting rate of change in temperature of the beveragecontainer 14 after it is placed within the vessel 12 may be small.

For example, a beverage container 14 and the beverage therewithin may bestored at an optimal serving temperature at a location outside of avessel 12 (e.g., within an electric wine refrigerator or cooler). Whenthe time to serve the beverage arrives, the corresponding beveragecontainer 14 may be removed from that location and placed within avessel 12. This placement may initiate an extended heat-exchange mode.

The rate of heat transfer during an extended heat-transfer mode may besized to combat or cancel out heat incursion into the beverage container14 caused by an inability of a vessel 12 to perfectly block all heattransfer into a system 10, heat transfer between surrounding air and anexposed portion of the beverage container 14 (i.e., the portion of thebeverage container 14 extending out of a vessel 12), repeated removal ofthe beverage container 14 from the vessel 12 in order to serve thebeverage contained therewithin, or the like. Accordingly, as heat slowlyenters a beverage container 14 from a surrounding environment, that heatmay be conducted away to a cooler thermal mass of a vessel 12 in orderto hold the temperature of the beverage within the beverage container 14at or near an optimal serving temperature for an extended period oftime.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in selected embodiments, a vessel 12 inaccordance with the present invention may include a top 28, body 30,base 32, or combination or sub-combination thereof. Tops 28, bodies 30,and/or bases 32 may be modular devices or components. Thus, fordifferent situations or applications, different tops 28, bodies 30,and/or bases 32 may be selected and assembled to provide a vessel 12having a desired combination of characteristics or functionality.

When assembled, a top 28, body 30, and base 32 may define a cavity 34that may be sized and shaped to receive a beverage container 14 or aportion (e.g., the majority) thereof. In certain embodiments, a portionof a beverage container 14 may extend out of a vessel 12. For example, atop 28 may include an aperture 36 through which a top portion of abeverage container 14 may extend out of the corresponding vessel 12.

In certain embodiments, a top 28 may connect to a top portion 38 of abody 30. For example, a top 28 may include a first engagement mechanism40 and a top portion 38 of a body 30 may include a second engagementmechanism 42. The first engagement mechanism 40 may be shaped and sizedto selectively engage the second engagement mechanism 42. Accordingly, auser may manipulate a top 28 with respect to a body 30 in order toengage the first and second engagement mechanisms 40, 42 and, thereby,connect a top 28 to a body 30. Alternatively, a user may manipulate atop 28 with respect to a body 30 in order to disengage the first andsecond engagement mechanisms 40, 42 and, thereby, disconnect the top 28from the body 30.

In selected embodiments, the first and second engagement mechanisms 40,42 may comprise continuous single start threads, continuous multi-startthreads, interrupted threads or ramp segments, interrupted segments(e.g., interrupted unthreaded segments), or the like. Interruptedthreads or ramp segments may provide a faster connection than continuousthreads because opposing threads or ramps are able to translate axiallypast each other before relative rotation causes an engagementtherebetween. Thus, the bulk of the relative axial engagement between atop 28 and a body 30 may occur before opposing threads or ramps arerotated into engagement and the final tightening occurs in a traditionalthreaded manner. In selected embodiments, this may allow a user toquickly adjust the location of a top 28 with respect to a body 30 toaccommodate beverage containers 24 of various heights.

In certain embodiments, a base 32 may connect to a bottom portion 44 ofa body 30. For example, a base 32 may include a third engagementmechanism 46 and a bottom portion 44 of a body 30 may include a forthengagement mechanism 48. The third engagement mechanism 46 may be shapedand sized to selectively engage the forth engagement mechanism 48.Accordingly, a user may manipulate a base 32 with respect to a body 30in order to engage the third and forth engagement mechanisms 46, 48 and,thereby, connect a base 32 to a body 30. Alternatively, a user maymanipulate a base 32 with respect to a body 30 in order to disengage thethird and forth engagement mechanisms 46, 48 and, thereby, disconnectthe base 32 from the body 30.

In selected embodiments, the third and forth engagement mechanisms 46,48 may comprise continuous single start threads, continuous multi-startthreads, interrupted threads or ramp segments, interrupted segments(e.g., interrupted unthreaded segments), or the like. Like interruptedthreads, interrupted segments may provide a faster connection thancontinuous threads because opposing segments are able to translateaxially past each other before relative rotation effects an engagementtherebetween. Thus, the bulk of the relative axial engagement between abase 32 and a body 30 may occur before opposing segments are rotatedinto engagement. Unlike interrupted threads or ramp segments, however,interrupted segments need not thread or ramp during rotation. Rather,they may simply mechanically mesh in some manner so as to preventinadvertent axial separation of a base 32 and body 30. In selectedembodiments, a semi-captive rubber O-ring may be positioned between thetwo components 30, 32 so that the O-ring is compressed when the segmentsengage one another. The resilience of the O-ring may therefore provide adesired preload along a central, vertical axis of the correspondingvessel 12. This preload may maintain the segments in their engagedposition by increase a frictional engagement theretween.

In certain embodiments, a vessel 12 may be configured to secure abeverage container 14 therewithin. For example, in an assembly process,a base 32 may be connected to a bottom portion 44 of a body 30. Abeverage container 14 may then be placed within a cavity 34 of thecombined body 30 and base 32. Thereafter, a top 28 may be applied inorder to secure or lock the beverage container 14 within that cavity 34.

Different beverage containers 14, even those of the same type, may havedifferent dimensions. For example, most wine bottles have a similarshape and size, but some may be a little taller and/or wider thanothers. Accordingly, in selected embodiments, a top 28 may have an axialrange of motion with respect to a body 30 in order to accommodatebeverage containers 14 of differing heights.

That is, a top 28 may have a more shallow engagement with a body 30 inorder to secure taller beverage containers 14 and a deeper engagementwith a body 30 in order to secure shorter beverage containers 14. Inselected embodiments, threaded engagements (e.g., continuous singlestart threads, continuous multi-start threads, interrupted threads, andthe like) between the first and second engagement mechanisms 40, 42 maycontinuously support, within an axial range of motion, a suitableconnection at both the more shallow engagement and the deeper engagementand an unlimited number of engagements therebetween.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, one or more of a top 28 and abase 32 may include a centering chamfer 50. A centering chamfer 50 mayaccommodate beverage containers 14 of various widths or diameters byextending around a circumference of a cavity 34. Wider beveragecontainers 14 may contact a centering chamfer 50 at a wider diameterthereof, while narrower beverage containers 14 may settle a litterdeeper and contact a centering chamfer 50 at a narrower diameterthereof. Thus, within a certain range of acceptable widths, a centeringchamfer 50 a formed in a top 28 may contact and center a top of abeverage container 14 within the cavity 34 and a centering chamfer 50 bformed in a base 32 may contact and center a bottom of a beveragecontainer 14 within the cavity 34.

A top 28 may include a shroud 52 or skirt 52 to provide an aestheticallypleasing and visually consistent interface between the top 28 and acorresponding body 30. In selected embodiments, a shroud 52 may extendaxially as well as circumferentially in order to cover a firstengagement mechanism 40. Thus, a shroud 52 may ensure that a firstengagement mechanism 40 remains unseen from the exterior of the vessel12 regardless of whether the top 28 has a more shallow engagement with abody 30, a deeper engagement with a body 30, or somewhere in between.

In selected embodiments, a beverage container 14 may be removed from avessel 12 before the corresponding beverage is served. This may includeremoving a top 28 in order to free a beverage container 14 to be liftedout of a cavity 34. Alternatively, a beverage container 14 may not beremoved from a vessel 12 before the corresponding beverage is served.Thus, the whole system 10 may be picked up and tilted to pour thebeverage from the beverage container 14.

A body 30 may be configured to reduce the ability of heat to passtherethrough. In selected embodiments, a body 30 may be or form a doublewalled tube and include an inner wall 54 and an outer wall 56. The innerand outer walls 54, 56 may be spaced (e.g., in a radial direction) fromone another in order to form a space 58 therebetween. The inner andouter walls 54, 56 may meet with each other at both the top portion 38of the body 30 and the bottom portion 44 thereof. Thus, a body 30 andthe space 58 between the inner and outer walls 54, 56 thereof may havethe shape of an annulus or of an annular cylinder.

In selected embodiments, the space 58 between the inner and outer walls54, 56 may contain air at atmospheric pressure. In such embodiments, thedouble wall configuration of a body 10 may significantly and acceptablyslow the flow of heat into a cavity 34. In other embodiments, the space58 between the inner and outer walls 54, 56 may be filled with aninsulating foam or solid. In still other embodiments, the space 58between the inner and outer walls 54, 56 may have gas moleculestherewithin at a concentration that is less (e.g., significantly less)than that found in the surrounding ambient air. That is, a pressurewithin the space 58 may be less (e.g., significantly less) thanatmospheric pressure. Thus, in certain embodiments, a body 30 may bevacuum insulated (e.g., be or comprise a vacuum insulated pipe or tubethat is open at both ends and defines an interior cavity 34 that extendsfrom one end to the other). This may reduce the ability of heat toconvect from an outer wall 56 to an inner wall 54 or vice versa and,thereby, improve the performance of the corresponding vessel 12 indrift-reduction mode or the like.

An exterior of a body 30 (e.g., an exterior of an outer wall 56) may beshaped so as to be aesthetically pleasing. In selected embodiments, anexterior of a body 30 may be generally cylindrical. In certainembodiments, the diameter of the exterior near the top 38 may be lessthan the diameter of the exterior near the bottom 44. In selectedembodiments, the transition from a narrower top 38 to a wider bottom 44may be smooth (e.g., gradual) and/or continuous (e.g., non-reversing).Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the transition from a narrowertop 38 to a wider bottom 44 may be non-linear. That is, a rate of changein diameter may not be uniform with respect to changes in height alongthe body 30. Accordingly, in selected embodiments, an exterior of a body30 may flare out non-linearly proximate a bottom portion and/or topportion thereof to produce a shape reminiscent of the flare of a bell.

An interior of a body 30 (e.g., an interior of an inner wall 54) may beshaped so as to be functional. In selected embodiments, an interior of abody 30 may have second and/or forth engagement mechanisms 42, 48 formedtherein. In certain embodiments, an interior of a body 30 may have oneor more shoulders 60 formed therein. Such shoulders 60 may provide adesired volume within a cavity 34, provide abutting services forclamping or tightening one or more components, or the like.

Inner and outer walls 54, 56 of a body 30 may be formed of any suitablematerial or combination of materials. In certain embodiments, inner andouter walls 54, 56 may be formed of or comprise thin metal (e.g., thinsteel or stainless steel that is formed into the desired shape and thenjoined together to seal off the space 58 therebetween).

In selected embodiments, a base 32 may function as a thermal mass. In aheat-exchange mode, heat may flow from a base 32 to a beverage within abeverage container 14 or from the beverage to the base 32 until anequilibrium temperature is reached. Accordingly, the initialtemperature, mass, and material of a base 32 may be mathematically orempirically selected so that a resulting equilibrium temperature matchesan optimal serving temperature for the corresponding beverage.

In certain embodiments, a base 32 may be formed of a material that has arelatively high specific heat. This may enable the lightest base 32 tohave the greatest effect on the equilibrium temperature. In selectedembodiments, a base 32 may comprise steel or aluminum and have a mass inthe range of about 0.3 to about 2 kilograms.

In selected embodiments, a system 10 in accordance with the presentinvention may include a thermal conductor 62. A thermal conductor 62 maybe material that facilitates the exchange or flow of heat between a base32 and a beverage container 14. Thus, a thermal conductor 62 may shortenthe time period 22 corresponding to a heat-exchange mode (e.g., shortenthe time needed to reach an equilibrium temperature).

In certain embodiments, a thermal conductor 62 may comprise a quantityof water that is place within a cavity 34. Thus, when a vessel 12 ispositioned upright, the water may thermally connect a base 32 with abeverage container 14. The amount and initial temperature of the watermay be selected, tuned, or otherwise factored in when the equilibriumtemperature is mathematically or empirically projected or determined.Accordingly, the amount and initial temperature of the water may beanother variable that may be controlled in order to make an equilibriumtemperature match a particular optimal serving temperature.

In selected embodiments, the amount of water used as a thermal conductor62 may be such that the water does not contact or reach a label 64 on acorresponding beverage container 14. Such labels often comprise paper,inks, etc. that are adversely affected by water. Accordingly, by usingan amount of water that does not contact or reach a label 64, theintegrity, aesthetic appeal, etc. of the label 64 may be preserved.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, in certain embodiments, a vessel 12 may includea seal 66. A seal 66 may resist or prevent the flow or movement offluids in and/or out of a cavity 34 via a gap or space between a vessel12 and a beverage container 14. A seal 66 may form another barrier forheat flowing into or out of a system 10. That is, by resisting orblocking the flow of fluids through the gap between a vessel 12 and abeverage container 14, a seal 66 may form a secondary insulator betweena beverage container 14 and the ambient air. This secondary insulatormay be a closed off volume (e.g., an annular cylinder) of air locatedbetween an inner wall 54 of a body 30 and the sides of a beveragecontainer 14.

Additionally, a seal 66 may prevent a thermal conductor 62 like waterfrom exiting a system 10. That is, in certain embodiments, a wholesystem 10 may be picked up and tilted to pour the beverage from thebeverage container 14. This may tend to cause a thermal conductor 62 inliquid form to congregate proximate a top aperture 36. Accordingly, aseal 66 may be included to prevent the thermal conductor from escapingor being served with the beverage.

In selected embodiments, a seal 66 may be incorporated into a top 28.Thus, tightening of a top 28 onto a body 30 may both secure a beveragecontainer 14 within the vessel 12 and force a seal 66 against thebeverage container 14 to seal the interface between the beveragecontainer 14 and the vessel 12.

In certain embodiments, a seal 66 may be formed of a material that isdifferent from the material forming a top 28. For example, a top 28 maybe formed of a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, or the like) or othersubstantially rigid material, while a seal 66 may be formed of a morecompliant material such as an elastic polymer.

A seal 66 a, 66 b may extend into a slot 68 formed in a top 28 orotherwise mechanically engage the top 28. This may enable loads to betransferred between the top 28 and the seal 66 a, 66 b. In selectedembodiments, a seal 66 a may provide a centering chamfer 50 a. In otherembodiments, a seal 66 b may comprise a bulb seal that may flex,compress, rebound, or the like more easily in order to seal against awider variety of shapes, across larger and smaller interface gaps, etc.In still other embodiments, a seal 66 c may comprise an O-ring that isurged by a shoulder 70 formed in a top 28 against a beverage container14.

Referring to FIG. 10, in selected embodiments, a top 28 may comprisemultiple components 72, 74 that selectively move with respect to oneanother. Certain such relative movement may tend to compress a seal 66d. This compression may cause the seal 66 d to deflect and extend towarda beverage container 14. Thus, by dialing up the compression on the seal66 d, the seal 66 d may be advanced until it contacts the beveragecontainer 14 with a desired sealing force. Conversely, by dialing backthe compression on the seal 66 d, the resiliency of the seal 66 d maycause it to retract until the sealing action is broken and the beveragecontainer 14 is free to be removed.

In certain embodiments, the multiple components 72, 74 of a top 28 mayinclude an inner component 72 and an outer component 74, both of whichare annular in shape. An inner component 72 may include a firstengagement mechanism 40 suitable for engaging a second engagementmechanism 42 of a body 30. An outer component 74 may threadedly engagethe inner component 72. A seal 66 d may be place between the inner andouter components 72, 74. Thus, by adjusting the position of an innercomponent 72 with respect to the body 30 and the position of the outercomponent 74 with respect to the inner component 72, the compressionapplied to the seal 66 d may be controlled and visual access to thefirst engagement mechanism 40 may be blocked. The compression forceexerted by the inner and outer components 72, 74 may deform seal 66 dsuch that continuous annular contact is made with a beverage container14, thus creating an airtight seal. Also, a top 28 so configured may notneed a shroud 52. The end result may be one vessel 12 that may seriallyreceive, seal against, and release various beverage containers 14 in arange of sizes (e.g., beverage containers 14 that vary from each otherin diameter by about 10 mm or less).

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in selected situations, a user may desireto serve a beverage after removing a beverage container 14 from acorresponding vessel 12. Accordingly, a system 10 may be configured tofacilitate quick and easy transitions of a beverage container 14 intoand out of a vessel 12. In certain embodiments, this may entailinverting a centering chamfer 50 a associated with a top 28 and applyinga seal 66 e to a beverage container 14.

An inverted centering chamfer 50 a may function as a funnel that guidesa beverage container 14 into a vessel 12. This may lower the time andattention needed to place a beverage container 14 within a vessel 12 orto return the beverage container 14 to the vessel 12. Additionally, aninverted centering chamfer 50 a may enable gravity to aid in creating aneffective seal between a top 28 and a beverage container 14. Thus, evenwhen a beverage container 14 is being removed from a vessel 12 to servethe beverage, the beverage container 14 may spend most of the timewithin the vessel 12, which may enable the vessel 12 to efficientlyoperate in drift-reduction mode or the like.

In selected embodiments, a seal 66 e may comprise an O-ring that extendssnuggly around an upper portion of a beverage container 14. The seal 66e may be rolled onto the beverage container 14. An elastic nature of theseal 66 e may enable it to stretch to snuggly fit various beveragecontainers 14 in a range of sizes (e.g., beverage containers 14 thatvary from each other in diameter by about 10 mm or less).

The seal 66 e may be positioned so that it will contact the invertedcentering chamfer 50 a of a top 28 slightly before the bottom of thebeverage container 14 contacts a base 32 (e.g., a centering chamfer 50 bof a base 32). Accordingly, gravity may tend to compress the seal 66 ebetween the inverted centering chamfer 50 a and the side of the beveragecontainer 14. Thus, the seal 66 e may create a secondary insulatorcomprising a closed off volume (e.g., an annular cylinder) of airlocated between an inner wall 54 of a body 30 and the sides of abeverage container 14. However, at any time, the sealing action of theseal 66 e may be easily and quickly broken by simply lifting thebeverage container 14 out of the vessel 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, in certain embodiments, a top 28 may be omitted.For example, a top 28 may be omitted and a reversed centering chamfer 50c may be included as part of a body 30 (e.g., as part of an inner wall54 of a body 30). Accordingly, as described hereinabove, a seal 66 e mayextend snuggly around an upper portion of a beverage container 14. Theseal 66 e may be positioned so that it will contact the invertedcentering chamfer 50 c of the body 30 slightly before the bottom of thebeverage container 14 contacts a base 32 (e.g., a centering chamfer 50 bof a base 32). Accordingly, gravity may tend to compress the seal 66 ebetween the inverted centering chamfer 50 c and the side of the beveragecontainer 14.

Thus, the seal 66 e may create a secondary insulator comprising a closedoff volume (e.g., an annular cylinder) of air located between an innerwall 54 of a body 30 and the sides of a beverage container 14. However,at any time, the sealing action of the seal 66 e may be easily andquickly broken by simply lifting the beverage container 14 out of thevessel 12.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, in selected embodiments, a base 32 may beconfigured to limit or reduce the flow of heat between itself and anenvironment external to the vessel 12. This may be accomplished withoutlimiting or reducing the flow of heat between a base 32 and anenvironment internal to the vessel 12. For example, all or substantiallyall exterior portions of a base 32 may comprise an outer layer 76 ofthermally insulative material.

In selected embodiments, such an outer layer 76 a of thermallyinsulative material may comprise a material having a relatively lowerheat transfer coefficient (e.g., G10 or the like). In other embodiments,such a layer 76 b may comprise inner and outer walls 78, 80 with a space82 (e.g., an evacuated space) therebetween. Thus, an outer layer 76 bmay vacuum insulate a base 32.

In certain embodiments, a base 32 may include a plurality of feet 84(e.g., three feet) that space a bottom of the base 32 from anysupporting surface (e.g., table top) therebelow. Such spacing may lowera conductive flow of heat between the base 32 and the supportingsurface. Alternatively, a base 32 may include a bottom lip 86. A lip 86may also space a bottom of the base 32 from any supporting surface(e.g., table top) therebelow and, thereby, reduce a conductive flow ofheat therebetween. A bottom lip 86 may also improve the grip of a userholding the vessel 12, which may be important when beverages are beingpoured from an assembled system 10 (as opposed to pouring from abeverage container that has been removed from a vessel 12).Alternatively or in addition thereto, a bottom lip 86 may be formed ofan elastomeric material to improve the grip of a base 32 on the surfaceof a table. In certain embodiments or situations, this grip may aid ineffecting or releasing an engagement between a base 32 and a body 30.For example, by first placing the base 32 on a table and then placingthe body 30 onto the base 32 and pressing the body 30 down whilerotating, it may be easier to mesh and/or fully engage the correspondingengagement mechanisms 46, 48 because the grip of a lip 86 may hold thebase 32 in place (i.e., so the user does not have to and can just focuson aligning and working the body 30).

In selected embodiments, a base 32 may include a seal 88 or grippingmaterial 88 positioned so as to contact a bottom portion 44 of a body 30when the base 32 is applied thereto. The seal 88 or gripping material 88may limit the flow of fluids (e.g., a thermal conductor 62) through theinterface between the base 32 and body 30. It may also resist rotationof the base 32 with respect to the body 30 when those two components areconnected together. Thus, the seal 88 or gripping material 88 may lowerthe risk of an inadvertent separation of a base 32 from a body 30.

Referring to FIG. 17, in certain embodiments, a base 32 may be selected,shaped, and/or sized to provide a desired depth of a cavity 34. Forexample, by raising or lowering a location of a centering chamfer 50 bof a base 32, the depth of a cavity 34 may be, respectively, shortenedor increased. Thus, different bases 32 may be incorporated into a vessel12 depending on how deep the cavity 34 needs to be to accommodate aparticular beverage container 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the centering chamfer 50 b is higher thanin other illustrations herein. When such a base 32 is incorporatedwithin a vessel 12 in accordance with the present invention, it maydecrease the depth of the cavity 34 and render the vessel 12 suitablefor receiving a beverage container 14 with a shorter body section (e.g.,a Burgundy-style bottle or the like) therewithin. In selectedembodiments, the increased mass of such a base 32 may provide sufficientstability despite the fact that the beverage container 14 may ridehigher within the vessel 12.

Referring to FIG. 18, in certain embodiments, additional material 90 maybe secured or contained within a vessel 12 (e.g., within a cavity 34 ofa vessel 12, but exterior to the beverage container 14). The amount andinitial temperature of the additional material 90 may be selected,tuned, or otherwise factored in when the equilibrium temperature ismathematically or empirically projected or determined. Accordingly, theamount and initial temperature of the additional material 90 may beanother variable that may be controlled in order to make an equilibriumtemperature match a particular optimal serving temperature.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the additional material 90 mayprovide some control over a point of balance of a system 10 inaccordance with the present invention. When pouring out of a system 10,the axial distribution of weight within a vessel 12 may affect how thesystem 10 feels, moves, pivots, etc. Accordingly, by selecting the massof the additional material 90 and the axial location of the additionalmaterial 90 within the vessel 12, a user may tune or move the point ofbalance as desired.

In selected embodiments, additional material 90 secured or containedwithin a vessel 12 may be solid. For example, the additional material 90may comprise an annular ring of ice, metal, or the like. Alternatively,the additional material 90 may be or comprise a liquid or gel material.For example, the additional material 90 may comprise or be an annulargel pack (e.g., an annular gel pack stored in a freezer before beinginserted within a vessel 12). In certain embodiments, the additionalmaterial 90 (e.g., an annular gel pack) may be sized and shaped tocontact the sides of a beverage container 14 when the beverage container14 is inserted within the cavity 34 of a vessel 12.

In selected embodiments, the additional material 90 may be secured inplace to prevent unwanted motion of the additional material 90 withinthe vessel 12. In certain embodiments, additional material 90 in theshape of an annular ring may be clamped, held, or loosely held between abase 32 and a shoulder 60 formed in an interior surface of a body 30.

Referring to FIG. 19, in certain embodiments, a method 92 in accordancewith the present invention may begin with the selection 94 of a bottleof wine. The bottle of wine may have a storage temperature and anoptimal serving temperature. Usually those two temperatures will not bethe same. Accordingly, some heat transfer may be needed to move the winewithin the bottle from the storage temperature to the optimal servingtemperature. To effect that heat transfer, a user may select 96 anappropriate thermal mass.

The thermal mass may be a base 32 having a particular mass andtemperature, a quantity of thermal conductor 62 at a particulartemperature, a quantity of additional material 90 at a particulartemperature, or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof.Selecting 96 an appropriate thermal mass may be like selecting theingredients for cooking a particular dish. However, the user need notsolve the heat transfer problem himself or herself. The work can alreadybe done and several relatively simple preparation processes may becommunicated to users of systems 10 in accordance with the presentinvention.

For example, it may be determined that a base 32 of a particular,standard mass stored in a refrigerator, when combined with a thermalconductor 62 comprising a quarter cup of room temperature water, issufficient to lower the temperature of a bottle of red wine from roomtemperature to about 65° F. Accordingly, if the wine selected 94 is ared wine, the user need only retrieve the base 32 from the refrigeratorand get a quarter cup of room temperature water. Other standardprotocols may be followed for other types of wine.

For example, it may be determined that a base 32 of a particular,standard mass stored at room temperature, when combined with a thermalconductor 62 comprising a quarter cup of room temperature water, issufficient to raise the temperature of a white wine from 35° F.temperature to about 50° F. Accordingly, if the wine selected 94 is awhite wine, the user need only retrieve the base 32 from the shelf andget a quarter cup of room temperature water.

In general, the “recipes” for transitioning a particular beverage to aparticular temperature may involve standard items, standardtemperatures, and standard quantities. For example, most kitchensprovide ready access to room temperature, refrigerator, and freezerstorage. Thus, the recipes may involve obtaining a base 32 or additionalmaterial 90 stored in one of those three places. Similarly, a quartercup (or some other readily measured amount) of water at wide range oftemperatures can be obtained from almost any kitchen sink. Thus, waterthat is “cool,” “room temperature,” “lukewarm” or the like may easily beobtained.

With an appropriate thermal mass in hand, the user is ready to assemble98 (or at least partially assemble) the vessel 12. This may includeattaching a selected base 32 to a standard body 30. The thermalconductor 62 (e.g., a particular quantity of water) may then be added100 to the vessel 12 (e.g., poured into the cavity 34 of the vessel 12).The bottle of wine that was selected 94 may then be placed 102 orinserted 102 within the vessel 12. If necessary or desired, a top 28 maythen be applied or adjusted to secure the bottle within the vessel 12.

With the bottle within the vessel 12, the vessel 12 may limit 104 theflow of heat between the system 10 (e.g., the cavity 34 and the contentsthereof) and the surrounding environment. However, within the vessel 12,heat may be flowing 106 from the wine to the thermal mass (e.g., thebase 32) or flowing 108 from the thermal mass (e.g., the base 32) to thewine via the thermal conductor 62.

Within a period of time 22, the contents of the cavity 34 may reach 110a thermal equilibrium with the base 32. Accordingly, the flow of heattherebetween may slow and eventually stop. However, the vessel 12 maycontinue to limit 112 the flow of heat between the system 10 (e.g., thecavity 34 and the contents thereof) and the surrounding environment.This may keep the wine at or near an equilibrium temperature.Accordingly, the wine may be served 114 at will at the equilibriumtemperature. Since the equilibrium temperature may be tuned to match anoptimal serving temperature, the wine may be served initially andcontinuously at or very near the optimal serving temperature.

Referring to FIGS. 20-24, in selected embodiments, a body 30 may beformed of multiple pieces or components. This may facilitatemanufacturing or assembly of a body 30. For example, a body 30 mayinclude an outer wall 56, a top portion 120 of an inner wall 54, and abottom portion 122 of an inner wall 54 that are separate components thatjoin (e.g., are bonded, welded, friction welded, etc.) to form a body30. In certain embodiments, the multiple pieces or components may beformed of different materials. For example, an outer wall 56 may beformed of metal (e.g., anodized aluminum), while a top portion 120 and abottom portion 122 may be formed of polymeric material.

Once assembled, a top portion 120 may be joined to a bottom portion 122(e.g., at a lap joint 124), a top of a top portion 120 may be joined toa top of an outer wall 56, and a bottom of a bottom portion 122 may bejoined to a bottom of the outer wall 56. In selected embodiments, a topof a top portion 120 may comprise a shoulder 126 that extends radiallyoutward to engage or abut an inner surface of a top of an outer wall 56.Such a shoulder 126 may provide a bonding surface enabling an adhesive(e.g., an epoxy) to connect the top portion 120 to the top of the outerwall 56.

Similarly, a bottom of a bottom portion 122 may comprise a shoulder 128that extends radially outward to engage or abut an inner surface of abottom of an outer wall 56. Such a shoulder 128 may provide a bondingsurface enabling an adhesive (e.g., an epoxy) to connect the bottomportion 122 to the bottom of the outer wall 56. In certain embodiments,the shoulders 126, 128 may provide self-centering and tensioning of aninner wall 54 with respect to an outer wall 56.

In selected embodiments, a shoulder 128 may be a monolithic extension ofa bottom portion 122. Alternatively, to accommodate manufacturingtolerances, a shoulder 128 may be separable from the rest of a bottomportion 122. Thus, the relative position of a shoulder 128 may beadjusted (e.g., adjusted using a threaded interface between a shoulder128 and the rest of a bottom portion 122) before a final securement,bonding, or the like of the shoulder 128 with respect to the rest of thebottom portion 122 and the outer wall 56.

In certain embodiments, the multiple pieces or components 72, 74 of atop 28 may be formed of different materials. For example, an outercomponent 74 may be formed of metal (e.g., anodized aluminum), while aninner component 72 may be formed of a polymeric material. In selectedembodiments, an inner component 72 may comprise multiple elements.

For example, an inner component 72 may comprise a main portion 130, topportion 132, and multiple pegs 134 or pins 134. A main portion 130 mayform a foundation for the other components 132, 134 of an innercomponent 72. In selected embodiments, a main portion 130 may include afirst engagement mechanism 40. A top portion 132 may be located above amain portion 130. In certain embodiments, a seal 66 (e.g., a seal 66 fconfigured as a gasket) may be positioned between a top portion 132 anda main portion 130 and extend radial inward therefrom to define a sizeor diameter of an aperture 36 of a top 28. Multiple pegs 134 or pins 134may extend from a main portion 130 upward through a seal 66 and into atop portion 132. Accordingly, the pegs 134 or pins 134 may hold the seal66 in place. The pegs 134 or pins 134 may be bonded to one or more of amain portion 130, top portion 132, and seal 66.

In selected embodiments, a seal 66 may comprise or be configured as arelatively thin, circular gasket formed of a suitable material such aspolyurethane, butyl rubber, or other elastomer or elastomeric material.A seal 66 may be segmented (e.g., include a plurality of flexible tabs136 forming an interior circumference thereof). Slits 138 (e.g.,radially extending slits 138) in the material forming the seal 66 maydefine the boundaries of the various tabs 136. Thus, a seal 66 maydefine an adjustable rather than a fixed aperture 36.

That is, a beverage container 14 may have a maximum diameter that isgreater than a neutral, undeflected diameter of a seal 66. According, asthe beverage container 14 is inserted through an aperture 36 defined bythe seal 66 and into a cavity 34 of a vessel 12, the tabs 136 of a seal66 may deflect 140 inward. This deflection 140 may increase theeffective size or diameter of the aperture 36.

Once a portion of the beverage container 14 having the maximum diameterhas moved passed a seal 66, the tabs 136 thereof may, through theirinherent resiliency, return to a position closer to their neutral,undeflected position. In selected embodiments, a seal 66 may be sizedand positioned so that the tabs 136 thereof are permitted by the shapeof the beverage container 14 to return to their neutral, undeflectedposition just as the beverage container 14 comes to rest on the bottomof the cavity 34 (e.g., comes to rest on the desired and appropriatesurface of a base 32). This may enable a seal 66 to effectively closeoff from ambient influence the air gap between an inner wall 54 of avessel 12 and a beverage container 14. This may improve the thermalperformance of a system 10 in accordance with the present invention.

However, since beverage containers 14 vary in size and one seal 66 maynot perfectly fit all beverage containers 14, the flexibility andresiliency of the tabs 136 may enable a seal 66 to mostly close off theair gap even when the fit is not perfect. Thus, a seal 66 may improvethe thermal performance of a vessel 12 even when the vessel 12 is usedin combination with a wide variety of beverage containers 14 (e.g., awide variety of wine bottles).

As a beverage container 14 is removed from a cavity 34 within a vessel12, the maximum diameter of the container 14 may cause the tabs 136 of aseal 66 to deflect 142 outward. Like the inward deflection 140, thisoutward deflection 142 may also increase the effective size or diameterof the aperture 36. A seal 66 may have sufficient flexibility andstrength to enable the tabs 136 thereof to repeatedly “break overcenter” (e.g., transition from deflecting 140 inwardly to deflecting 142outwardly or vice versa) without binding or otherwise inhibiting theinsertion and/or extraction of beverage containers 14 (e.g., evenbeverage containers 14 on the wider end of the spectrum). Accordingly, aseal 66 having tabs 136 may improve the thermal performance of a vessel12 in accordance with the present invention without requiring anyadjustment or fitting and without presenting any obstacle to theinsertion or extraction of the beverage container 14.

In certain embodiments, a base 32 may comprise a core 144 and an outerlayer 76. A core 144 may be a heat sink or source, while an outer layer76 may limit heat transfer between a core 144 and a surroundingenvironment. The material and size of a core 144 may be selected ortuned to provide a desired thermal performance of a system 10 inaccordance with the present invention.

In selected embodiments, one or more interface mechanisms 146 mayinterface between a core 144 and an outer layer 76. For example, a topinterface mechanism 146 a may interface between a core 144 and an upperportion of an outer layer 76 and a bottom interface mechanism 146 b mayinterface between a core 144 and a lower portion of an outer layer 76. Acore 144 may be bonded to an outer layer 76 at the interface mechanisms146.

In selected embodiments, a space 148 may be formed between a core 144and an outer layer 76 at certain locations. In certain embodiments, thisspace 148 may be an air gap or vacuum (e.g., a partial vacuum). In otherembodiments, the space 148 may be filled with thermal insulation such asfoam (e.g., spray foam introduced through an aperture in a top interfacemechanism 146 a). Accordingly, the space 148 may improve the thermalisolation of the core 144 from a surrounding environment.

A thermal conductor 62 may interface between one or more top surfaces150 of a core 144 and a beverage container 14. In selected embodiments,a thermal conductor 62 may comprise a piece (e.g., a disk, ring, or thelike) of thermal foam 62 a. The weight of a beverage container 14 andthe contents thereof may urge the beverage container 14 downward againstthe thermal foam 62 a. This force may cause the thermal foam 62 a toconform to the contours of the bottom of the beverage container 14 andprovide a suitable thermal conduction path between a corresponding core144 and the beverage container 14.

In embodiments wherein a thermal conductor 62 comprises thermal foam 62a or the like, a method 92 of use need not include the step of adding100 a thermal conductor 62 to the vessel 12. That is, the thermalconductor 62 may already form part of the thermal mass that is selected96 or included as part of the vessel 12.

In selected embodiments, a thermal conductor 62 may comprise lowdurometer thermal foam. The thermal foam 62 a may be flat.Alternatively, a core 144 (e.g., a top surface 150 of a core 144) may beformed to include a punt plug (e.g., a circular indentation), while athermal conductor 62 may comprise a circle of thermal foam with adiameter greater than the punt plug to which it is attached. This mayallows for a “skirt effect” wherein the plug/foam is inserted or pushedinto the punt, which may cause the foam to conform to the taper of thepunt and contact a greater portion of a corresponding beverage container14. This skirt effect may increase the contact surface area.

In certain embodiments, a core 144 may include a central, circular, topsurface 150 a and an annular, outer, top surface 150 b. The two surfaces150 a, 150 b may be at different heights to accommodate or fit differenttypes of beverage containers 14. For example, a central, circular, topsurface 150 a (and a disk of a thermal conductor 62 a correspondingthereto) may be sized to support the base of a Bordeaux-style winebottle thereon, while a higher, annular, outer, top surface 150 b (andan annulus of a thermal conductor 62 b corresponding thereto) may besized to support and contact the base of a Burgundy-style wine bottle.This may prevent Burgundy-style wine bottles from sitting too low and,thereby, leaving an opening between a seal 66 (e.g., gasket) and thebottle.

Thus, the difference in height between the two top surfaces 150 a, 150 bmay be selected so that both types of bottles have, at the location of aseal 66, a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the aperture36 in the seal 66 (e.g., substantially matching the neutral,undeflected, inner diameter of a seal 66). In selected embodiments, aseal 66 may be sized to fit or just contact a bottle shoulder having anouter diameter of about 75 mm and a base 32 may position thecorresponding bottle such that the height of the bottle's 75 mm outerdiameter shoulder is at or near the height of the seal 66.

In selected embodiments, a base 32 may include no heat sink or sourcecomponent (e.g., no core 144). When such a base 32 is used, a system 10may operate strictly in drift-reduction mode. In certain embodiments,such a base 32 may include a stepped shoulder, centering chamfer 50,multiple top surfaces 150 a, 150 b, or the like to keep each of the mostcommon bottle types (e.g., Burgundy, Bordeaux, etc.) at a desired heightwithin the vessel 12. In certain embodiments, such a base 32 may be usedon a body 30 as a place holder, display only item, or the like while afull featured base 32 (e.g., a base 32 comprising a core 144) is storedin a refrigerated space so as to be ready for its next use.

In certain embodiments, a base 32 may include colored highlights.Different colors may correspond to different functionality for the base32. For example, one color (e.g., red) may correspond to bases 32 thatare to be stored at room temperature, while another color (e.g., blue)may correspond to bases 32 that are to be stored in the freezer.

In certain embodiments, a floor 152 or partial floor 152 may form abottom portion of an outer layer 76. A floor 152 may be positioned belowa core 144. An air gap or other space may separate a floor 152 from acore 144.

In certain embodiments, a floor 152 of a base 32 may be or include anengraved metal disk (e.g., laser engraved stainless steel disk). Thedisk may have written thereon (e.g., engraved therein) instructions forusing a system 10 in a particular configuration that corresponds to theparticular base 32 at issue. In selected embodiments, this disk may haveadhesive foam 154 on the back thereof to support securement to a core144. This may create the illusion that the disk is an integral part ofthe core 144.

In certain embodiments, a floor 152 may be circumnavigated by a steppedgroove containing a length of flanged rubber tube 156 (e.g., anautomotive trim protector having a P-shaped cross-sectional profile).For example, a bottom interface mechanism 146 b may have a steppedgroove formed therein and a rubber tube 156 may be placed within thestepped groove. A rubber tube 156 may be held in place with acombination of friction from the stepped groove and adhesive. A rubbertube 156 may also have the benefit of creating another air gap on thebottom of the base 32, a non-slip engagement with a supporting surface(e.g., table top), a non-scratch engagement with a supporting surface,or the like.

In selected embodiments, an outer layer 76 may be formed of any suitablematerial. The material of an outer layer 76 may be selected to provide adesired look or aesthetic. In certain embodiments, an outer layer 76 maybe formed of metal that is bonded to one or more interface mechanisms146 formed of polymeric material. In selected embodiments, an outerlayer 76 may be or comprise anodized aluminum, chrome, brushed nickel,stainless steel, bronze, brass, or the like.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, an outer layer 76 of a base 32may include a groove providing a location for decorative banding toencircle a base 32. Accordingly, a groove may be filled with leather,fabric, metal, carbon fiber, or the like to encourage personality and toemphasize or take advantage of the modularity of systems 10 inaccordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 25, a seal 66 in accordance with the present inventionmay have any suitable number of tabs 136. In selected embodiments, aseal 66 may have a number of tabs 136 in a range from about eight toabout twelve. A seal 66 having nine tabs 136 has been found to functionwell in systems 10 in accordance with the present invention.

A seal 66 may include a plurality of apertures 158 that enable one ormore pegs 134 or pins 134 to extend therethrough. In certainembodiments, a number of apertures 158 may match a number of tabs 136.Accordingly, one aperture 158 may correspond to (e.g., be placedcentrally with respect to) each tab 136.

In selected embodiments, a seal 66 (e.g., a seal 66 configured as agasket) may have a thickness of about 1 mm to about 6 mm, an outerdiameter 160 of about 95 mm to about 135 mm, and an inner diameter 162of about 65 mm to about 85 mm. A seal 66 may be placed about 160 mm toabout 200 mm above a central, circular, top surface 150 a and about 130mm to about 170 mm above an annular, outer, top surface 150 b.

Referring to FIG. 26, close (e.g., aesthetically and/or functionallyacceptable) tolerances may be difficult to achieve when combining,joining, centering, etc. parts formed of different materials indifferent manufacturing processes. Accordingly, in selected embodiments,mating or abutting surfaces of one or more shoulders 126, 128 of anupper portion 120 and/or lower portion 122 may include one or moresacrificial ridges 164.

Sacrificial ridges 164 may be positioned at locations where closetolerances are difficult to achieve such as at interfaces betweenpolymeric inner wall components 54, 120, 122 and a metallic outer wall56. The material forming the sacrificial ridges 164 may be more easilysanded off, sheared, compressed, or the like during an assembly process.Accordingly, sacrificial ridges 164 may speed the process of achievingan acceptable interface between selected parts or components.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, in selected embodiments, a clean andsmooth transition may be desired from the outer skin of a top 28 to theouter skin of a body 30 and/or from the outer skin of a body 30 to theouter skin of a base 32. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a recess166 may be formed on one part, while a shoulder 168 is formed on theother part. Accordingly, when the two parts come together, the shoulder168 may extend into the recess 166 and ensure that their respectiveouter skins align.

For example, in certain embodiments, an outer wall 56 of a body 30 mayextend slightly beyond an inner wall 54 at a top portion 38 of the body30. This may create a first recess 166 a at the top portion 38 of thebody 30. Conversely, an outer component 74 of a top 28 may be slightlyshorter than an adjacent interior component 130. Accordingly, theinterior component 130 may form a first shoulder 168 a. Thus, when thetop 28 is applied to the body 30, the first shoulder 168 a may extendwithin the first recess 166 a and register (e.g., center) and align theouter component 74 of the top 28 with the outer wall 56 of the body 30.

Similarly, in certain embodiments, an outer wall 56 of a body 30 mayextend slightly beyond an inner wall 54 at a bottom portion 44 of thebody 30. This may create a second recess 166 b at the bottom portion 44of the body 30. Conversely, an outer layer 76 of a base 32 may beslightly shorter than an adjacent top interface mechanism 146 a.Accordingly, the top interface mechanism 146 a may form a secondshoulder 168 b. Thus, when the base 32 is applied to the body 30, thesecond shoulder 168 b may extend within the second recess 166 b andregister (e.g., center) and align the outer layer 76 of the base 32 withthe outer wall 56 of the body 30.

Referring to FIG. 29, in selected embodiments, both an inner wall 54 andan outer wall 56 of a body 30 may be formed of the same material. Forexample, both an inner wall 54 and an outer wall 56 may be formed ofmetal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, or the like). In embodimentswherein the walls 54, 56 of a body 30 are formed of metal, the walls 54,56 may be welded together or otherwise sealed where they meet at boththe top and bottom portions 38, 44 of the body 30.

Referring to FIG. 30, in certain embodiments, an inner wall 54 may beconfigured to conduct heat from a beverage container 14 to a base 32. Insuch embodiments, at least a portion 170 of an inner wall 54 may beformed of a material that is thermally conductive (e.g., a metal such asaluminum, copper, or steel). The other portion 171 or portions 171 on aninner wall 54 may be less thermally conductive (e.g., formed of apolymeric material). The conductive portion 170 may be in thermalcontact with a base 28 so that heat collected therewithin may betransferred to the base 28.

A heat transfer mechanism 172 may extend from the conductive portion 170and contact a beverage container 14. Accordingly, heat may betransferred from a beverage container 14 to a heat transfer mechanism172, from the heat transfer mechanism 172 to a conductive portion 170,and from the conductive portion 170 to a base 32. By removing heat (evena relatively small amount of heat) from a beverage container 14 at ahigher location (e.g., at a location spaced above a bottom of a beveragecontainer 14), a vessel 12 may induce convective motion of a beveragewithin the beverage container 14. This may aid in keeping the beveragewithin the beverage container 14 at a more uniform temperature byavoiding or limiting thermal stratification. Alternatively or inaddition thereto, a conductive portion 170 may aid in keeping a volumeof air interior to the inner wall 54 and exterior to the beveragecontainer 14 at a substantially uniform temperature.

In selected embodiments, a heat transfer mechanism 172 may comprise oneor more gaskets or annuluses of thermal foam. Each such gasket mayinclude multiple tabs that extend radially inward from the portion 170to contact a beverage container 14. Accordingly, the gasket may beshaped like the seal 66 illustrated in FIG. 25. Flexibility andresiliency of the thermal foam may enable the tabs of the gasket toextend and contact beverage containers 14 of various sizes.

Any suitable mechanism may be used to secure a heat transfer mechanism172 to a conductive portion 170. In selected embodiments, a plurality ofpegs, 174, pins 174, screws 174 or the like may hold a heat transfermechanism 172 in contact with a conductive portion 170 (e.g., one end ofa conductive portion 170),

Referring to FIG. 31, in certain embodiments, a method 176 in accordancewith the present invention may begin with the selection 94 of a bottleof wine. The bottle of wine may have been stored at a temperature thatsubstantially matches its optimal serving temperature (e.g., the bottleof wine may have been stored in a wine refrigerator or cooler).Accordingly, a user may select 96 a thermal mass that will aid inmaintaining the bottle of wine at or near its optimal servingtemperature. In selected embodiments, selecting 96 an appropriatethermal mass may comprise selecting a cold base 32 (e.g., a base 32 thathas been stored within a refrigerator or freezer).

With an appropriate thermal mass in hand, the user may assemble 98 avessel 12. This may include attaching the selected base 32 to a body 30in accordance with the present invention. The bottle of wine that wasselected 94 may then be placed 102 or inserted 102 within the vessel 12.

With the bottle within the vessel 12, the vessel 12 may limit 104 theflow of heat between the system 10 (e.g., the cavity 34 and the contentsthereof) and the surrounding environment. However, within the vessel 12,heat may be flowing 106 (e.g., flowing 106 relatively slowly due to thelimited contact area provided by the thermal foam 62 a) from the wine tothe thermal mass (e.g., to the core 144 of the base 32 via the thermalconductor 62, 62 a).

When desired, the bottle of wine may be removed 178 from the vessel 12and some portion of the wine contained within the bottle may be served114. After the serving 114, the bottle of wine may be inserted 102 againwithin the vessel 12 and various steps 104, 106, 178, 114 of the method176 may be repeated as desired or necessary (e.g., until the wine isconsumed). In selected embodiments, the thermal capacity of a base 32may be such that two to six bottles of wine may be served without theneed to install a fresh, cold base 32 from the freezer.

In such a method 176, the rate of heat transfer out of the beveragecontainer 14 may be sized to combat or cancel out heat incursion intothe beverage container 14. Accordingly, as heat slowly enters a beveragecontainer 14 from a surrounding environment, that heat may be conductedaway to a cooler base 32 (e.g., a cooler core 144 within a base 32) inorder to hold the temperature of the beverage within the beveragecontainer 14 at or near an optimal serving temperature for an extendedperiod of time.

Referring to FIG. 32, in selected embodiments, a system 10 may use anelectrical system 180 to regulate the temperature of a beveragecontainer 14 and its contents. In such embodiments, an electrical system180 may fit within or form a base 32. Holes through an exterior of abase 32 may allow air flow as needed to support the function of theelectrical system 180.

In certain embodiments, an electrical system 180 may include aheating/cooling system 182 comprising one or more temperature sensors184, a bi-directional heat transfer device 186, a thermal reservoir 188,a thermal conductive interface 190, a cooling device 192, or the like ora combination or sub-combination thereof. A temperature sensor 184 maycomprise an active device, variable resistor, thermocouple, infraredsensor, thermistor, or the like. An electrical system 180 may use datacollected by one or more temperature sensors 184 to know when to turn aheating/cooling system 182 or one or more components thereof on and/oroff.

A bi-directional heat transfer device 186 may create a temperaturedifferential using the Peltier effect, some other thermoelectric effect,or the like. A thermal reservoir 188 may support the operation of abi-directional heat transfer device 186 by providing a location for heatgenerated by that device 186 to go or the like. A thermal reservoir 188may comprise a heat sink (e.g., a relatively large thermal mass),cooling fins, eutectic system, or the like.

A thermal conductive interface 190 may assist in conducting heat to orfrom a bi-directional heat transfer device 186 (e.g., from a beveragecontainer 14 to a cool side of a bi-directional heat transfer device186). In selected embodiments, a thermal conductive interface 190 maycomprise thermal foam, a heat pipe, liquid, thermal grease, or the like.A cooling device 192 may enable a system 180 to exhaust or intake heatto or from a surrounding environment. For example, a cooling device 192may comprise a fan, pump, or the like that moves a fluid (e.g., air)past the cooling fins of a thermal reservoir 188.

An electrical system 180 may include a controller 194 for controllingoperation of the electrical system 180 or one or more componentsthereof. In selected embodiments, a controller 194 may be an embeddedmicrocontroller, analog control circuit, digital temperature controller,or the like.

An electrical system 180 may include a user interface 196 that allows ahuman user to turn the electrical system 180 on or off, control or setone or more temperature settings, or the like. A user interface 196 mayinclude one or more switches, a keypad, a dial, a touch screen, or thelike or a combination or sub-combination thereof.

An electrical system 180 may further include a power supply 198, one ormore haptic feedback devices 200, one or more visual indicators 202, oneor more audio devices 204, one or more presence detectors 206, a mixingdevice 208, one or more ambient temperature sensors 210, a wirelesscommunication interface 212, or the like or a combination orsub-combination thereof.

A power supply 198 may supply the electrical power needed by the variouscomponents of an electrical system 180. In selected embodiments, a powersupply 198 may include one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable AAbatteries or the like) and one or more ports or other mechanisms (e.g.,AC plugs, DC plugs, wall adapters, power over Ethernet systems,inductive charging systems, lighting ports, USB plugs, or the like or acombination or sub-combination thereof) delivering power to recharge theone or more batteries.

A haptic feedback device 200 may include a vibrator, buzzer, crystal, orthe like that provides feedback to a human user regarding the operationof an electrical system 180. A visual activity indicator 202 may includeone or more lights (e.g., one or more LEDs, OLEDs, LCDs, or the like)that provide feedback to a human user regarding the operation of anelectrical system 180. An audio device 204 may include an annuciator,speaker, buzzer, bell, speech generator, or the like that providesfeedback to a human user regarding the operation of an electrical system180.

A presence detector 206 may detect when some condition is met forstarting and/or stopping some operation of an electrical system 180. Forexample, a presence detector 206 may detect when a beverage container 14has been placed in a vessel 12 and cooling of that beverage container 14should be initiated or reinitiated.

A mixing device 208 may generate vibrations (e.g., ultrasonicvibrations) that may be applied or conducted to a beverage container 14to aid in mixing a beverage within that container 14. Accordingly, amixing device 208 may reduce thermal stratification of a beverage withina beverage container 14.

An ambient temperature sensor 210 may provide information characterizingan ambient temperature to a controller 194. A controller 194 may usedthat information in any way that supports operation of an electricalsystem 180 in accordance with the present invention. For example, inselected embodiments, a controller 194 may use informationcharacterizing a current state of charge and an ambient temperature topredict (and report to a human user) how much longer the electricalsystem 180 will be able to maintain a beverage container 14 at a desiredor set temperature.

A wireless interface 212 may support wireless communication with one ormore exterior systems. Accordingly, via a wireless interface 212, anelectrical system 180 may communication with a mobile device, computersystem, or the like. Accordingly, information may be transferred into orout of an electrical system 180 via a wireless interface 212. Inselected embodiments, a wireless interface 212 may comprise or supportBluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, TOT, one or more other communication protocols,or the like or a combination or sub-combination thereof.

In selected embodiments, an electrical system 180 in accordance with thepresent invention may provide enough power to run the components of aheating/cooling system 182 for about four hours or more when pulse-widthmodulation is employed. A base 32 comprising an electrically poweredcooling/heating system 180 may operate in cooperation with a stylizedinduction charging/power platform that may support a vessel 12 when itis charging. The charging/power platform or the electrically poweredcooling/heating system 180 may play a song, light up, buzz, or the likewhen the corresponding vessel 12 reaches the right temperature. Then,the vessel 12 may be removed from the charging platform and placed on atable. Thus, temperature regulation when the vessel 12 is off of acharging/power platform may correspond to drift-reduction mode or may beprovided by an electrical system 180 running off battery power.

In selected embodiments, a vessel 12 may achieve the desired temperaturewithout being connected to the charging/power platform via a combinationof battery power and a heat sink/source as disclosed above.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative,and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A method comprising: obtaining a vessel comprising adouble walled tube having opposite top and bottom openings, and aremovable base closing off the bottom opening of the double walled tube;obtaining a container containing a beverage, the container and thebeverage having a combined weight and inserting the container within thevessel so that the combined weight rests on the base and a portion ofthe container extends out of the first end of the double walled tube;and conducting heat from the container to the base.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the double walled tube comprises an interior tube andan exterior tube connected together so as form a sealed off volumetherebetween.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a pressure within thesealed off volume is less than atmospheric pressure.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the base comprises a metallic thermal mass; and theconducting comprises conducting heat from the container to the metallicthermal mass.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein: the base comprises atop surface and a thermal foam directly overlaying the top surface; andthe conducting comprises conducting heat from the container, through thethermal foam, to the metallic thermal mass.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein: the vessel further comprises a top partially closing off thetop opening of the double walled tube; the top comprises an annulus ofelastomeric material; and the annulus has a plurality of tabs extendingradially inward toward a central axis of the double walled tube.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein: the inserting comprises deflecting one ormore tabs of the plurality of tabs toward the base; and the methodfurther comprises resiliently returning, by the one or more tabs, tonon-deflected or less deflected positions after the inserting.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising restricting, by the annulus duringthe conducting, air exchange between an ambient environment and a spacelocated interior to the interior tube of the double walled tube andexterior to the container.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:removing heat from the container at a location spaced above a bottom ofthe container; and inducing, by the removing, a convection currentwithin the beverage.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the double walltube comprises an inner wall; at least a portion of the inner wall isformed of a thermal conductor; and the method further comprises keeping,by the at least a portion of the inner wall, a volume of air interior tothe inner wall and exterior to the container at a substantially uniformtemperature.
 11. A thermal stabilization vessel comprising: a doublewalled tube defining a central axis and having opposite top and bottomopenings, the double walled tube comprising an outer wall, an innerwall, and a sealed off volume located between the inner and outer walls;a removable base closing off the bottom opening of the double walledtube; and a top partially closing off the top opening of the doublewalled tube, the top comprising an annulus of elastomeric material; andthe top wherein the annulus comprises a plurality of flexible andresilient tabs extending radially inward toward the central axis of thedouble walled tube.
 12. The vessel of claim 11, wherein a pressurewithin the sealed off volume is less than atmospheric pressure.
 13. Thevessel of claim 11, wherein the removable base comprises a metallicthermal mass.
 14. The vessel of claim 13, wherein: the metallic thermalmass has a top surface; and the removable base further comprises thermalfoam directly overlaying the top surface.
 15. The vessel of claim 14,further comprising a container positioned within the double walled tube,wherein a weight of the container rests completely on the removablebase.
 16. The vessel of claim 15, wherein the thermal foam directlycontacts and conforms to a bottom of the container.
 17. The vessel ofclaim 11, wherein the removable base comprises a thermal mass having acentral, circular, top surface having a first height within the vesseland an annular, outer, top surface having a second height with thevessel that is greater than the first height.
 18. The vessel of claim17, wherein the removable base further comprises: a circular disk ofthermal foam directly overlaying the central, circular, top surface; andan annulus of thermal foam directly overlaying the annular, outer, topsurface.
 19. The vessel of claim 18, further comprising one of: a firstbottle of wine positioned within the double walled tube so that a weightof the first bottle of wine rests completely on the circular disk ofthermal foam; and a second bottle of wine positioned within the doublewalled tube so that a weight of the second bottle of wine restscompletely on the annulus of thermal foam.
 20. The vessel of claim 11,wherein: the removable base comprises a thermal mass; at least a portionof the inner wall is formed of a thermal conductor; and the at least aportion of the inner wall is in thermal contact with the thermal mass.